Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, has resigned from office.

His resignation was announced in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Sole Administrator, Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.

The statement expressed appreciation for Nwaeke’s contributions to the administration of the Sole Administrator in the few days he served, and wished him success in his future endeavors.

In the interim, Dr. (Mrs.) Iyingi Brown, the Permanent Secretary for Welfare in the Office of the Head of Service, has been appointed in an acting capacity until a substantive Head of Service is named.

While congratulating Brown on her appointment, Ibas reaffirmed his commitment to neutrality, peace, and stability in Rivers State.

The statement read, “The statement Office of His Excellency The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.

“His Excellency, The Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavors.”

Nwaeke’s resignation comes just one week after President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Nma Ordu, and all members of the State Assembly.

The President’s decision has drawn widespread criticism from major political figures, civil society organizations, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and a significant portion of Rivers State residents.

[DailyPost]

Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has dismissed the assertion by former Anambra Governor, Peter Obi, that democracy has collapsed, describing it as hyperbolic and lacking logical foundation.

Onanuga, in a statement on X (formerly Twitter), criticised Obi’s comments, during a colloquium to mark the 60th birthday of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and ex-Imo Governor, Emeka Ihedioha.

He argued that democracy in Nigeria has remained resilient over the years and has continued to strengthen since 1999.

“I listened multiple times to former Governor Peter Obi’s statement in this clip, where he claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. His hyperbolic remarks, suited for headlines, have been made without deep reflection and lack a solid logical foundation,” Onanuga stated.

He questioned how a democracy that has endured and grown over the past 26 years could be said to have collapsed, adding that Obi himself is a beneficiary of the free speech provided by the system.

“Only a discontented and disgruntled Peter, who benefits from the very free speech democracy provides, could perceive such a democratic downfall through his lens.

” If democracy had indeed collapsed, as Peter claims, and we were living under a regime antithetical to democratic principles, he would not have been able to make his comments on Monday at Emeka Ihedioha’s colloquium,” he added.

Onanuga further urged Obi to be more cautious with his statements, warning against what he described as playing to the gallery.

Obi, at the event, had argued that democracy in Nigeria had suffered a serious setback due to the actions of the current leadership.

“They started in 1999, they laid the foundation, some people came and took it a decking, and some people were trying to raise it to the first floor, and some people came and knocked everything down. That’s the situation we are in right now. Everything has been knocked down, nothing works,” Obi said.

Citing his personal political experiences, the former Anambra governor claimed that the judicial and democratic institutions that once upheld fairness and justice had deteriorated.

“I became a governor through the courts. When (former) President (Olusegun) Obasanjo and Atiku (Abubakar) were in government, I did not pay the courts one naira; I was sitting in my house, in an office, and the court declared me winner,” Obi recalled.

He further compared past democratic interventions with the present situation, lamenting that the independence of democratic institutions had eroded.

“Today, the president impeaches the person. And they were begging in my house not to impeach me, and they were in PDP, I was in APGA. Even when I was impeached, President Obasanjo called me and said, ‘Are you okay? Are you safe?’ I couldn’t believe it. Now the president (referring to the present administration) will ask him not to come back here again,” he said.

Obi maintained that the system was failing and required urgent attention to rebuild it. “Let’s not talk about it. Let’s talk about how we are going to rebuild it. It’s collapsing,” he said.

The National Chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Shehu Gabam on Monday lamented that the Nigerian judiciary is taking over the statutory functions of political parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Gabam stated this when he was featured as a guest on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

In the last two years, political stakeholders expressed concerns that judges in the country were overstretched following the litany of post-election petitions that flooded the tribunals all the way to the apex court.

However, the SDP chairman insisted that it was an anomaly.

He said, “We are looking to build a party that will look like the ANC in South Africa. We are running away from the crisis because every movement has its own virus. So if you don’t have a strong antidote to that virus, you better maintain the status quo.

“Make sure that you pilot the affairs of the party up to the point of elections or primaries where people will be properly elected without the interference of the judiciary.

“Because these days, functions of parties have been taken by the judiciary. Functions of INEC have also been taken by the judiciary. So we have to be very careful how we navigate through this difficult period that we are in our democratic journey.”

When asked if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar plans to leave the Peoples Democratic Party to join the immediate past governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, Gabam, said, “Well, I won’t say that until we get there. The SDP is an excellent political platform for any career politician. We abide by the rules.

“We are very strict and ensure there is deterrence. Nobody is indispensable as far as the party is concerned. Once you breach the law, the law will take its course.”

The politician also showered encomium on El-Rufai, whom he described as a priceless asset.

He said, “Mallam El-Rufai is an asset. You know better than that. He is a workaholic and we believe that he will add value to the SDP. We don’t have a monopoly on knowledge and wisdom. We need people with extra capacity to add value to what we are doing.

“No party knows it all. When you have a convergence of assets of people that believe in the future of Nigeria, believe in the supremacy of the institution, that can punish people, create deterrence and openings, then you have a party that you can be proud of.”

When asked if he is among the key strategists in the ongoing coalition discussion, Gaidam said, “I am a chairman of a political party. I’m not supposed to be part of all these group discussions going on because they have their own conflicting interests embedded in those meetings. But the moment they make up their mind that this is their decision and want to join the SDP, the party will welcome them 100 per cent.”

[Punch]

Samsung Electronics co-CEO Han Jong-Hee died from cardiac arrest on Tuesday, according to a spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant. Han was 63.

Born in 1962, Han had overseen Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses since 2022, according to the company. He was named Samsung Electronics vice chairman and co-CEO in 2022. Han’s co-CEO, Jun Young-Hyun, heads its semiconductor business.

In an internal message seen by CNN, Samsung paid tribute to Han, saying he had dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader. As the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, he also contributed to the company’s growth amid a “challenging business environment.”

“Our deepest condolences are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time,” the message said.

No announcement has been made about Han’s successor, the spokesperson told CNN.

During an annual meeting with investors last week, which he chaired, Han apologized for the performance of Samsung stock and warned of a difficult 2025 because of uncertainties around the economic policies of major economies, according to Reuters. He added that Samsung would seek “meaningful” mergers and acquisitions deals this year to support the company’s growth.

“There are some difficulties in doing semiconductor M&As due to regulatory issues and various national interests, but we’re determined to produce some tangible results this year,” he was quoted as saying.

Han joined the company in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Prior to running Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operation.

CNN

Ibok-Ete Ibas, the administrator of Rivers state, has appointed Ibibia Lucky Worika, a professor, as secretary to the Rivers state government (SSG). 

In a statement, Ibas said Worika’s appointment takes immediate effect.

“His appointment follows careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during a rigorous selection process,” the statement reads.

“He holds a Ph.D. in International Environmental and Comparative Petroleum Law & Policy from the University of Dundee, United Kingdom, and has served in prestigious roles across academia, international organizations, and government advisory capacities.

“Professor Worika’s appointment reflects the Administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed Peace, Stability and Security.”

In a separate statement, Ibas announced the resignation of George Nwaeke as head of service (HoS).

“His Excellency, The Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavors,” the statement reads.

“In the interim, Dr Mrs Iyingi Brown, Permanent Secretary Welfare, Office of the Head of Service has been appointed in acting capacity until a new Head of Service is appointed.

“While congratulating her on her appointment, the Administrator assures the people of Rivers State of his commitment to Neutrality, Peace and Stability.”

Ibas was sworn in as administrator by President Bola Tinubu on March 19, following the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers.

[TheCable]

•Kukah, Tambuwal differ  

•Anyaoku warns against military coups in sub-Saharan Africa

•Obi’s aspiration, not democracy, is dead, says Omokri 

•Atiku, others shower praises on Ihedioha at 60

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo and erstwhile governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, yesterday, had a very concerning take on democracy in Africa and Nigeria, respectively.

While Obasanjo declared that democracy in Africa was not just failing, but actually dying, attributing the decline to a lack of alignment with African values and realities, Obi concluded that democracy was already collapsing in Nigeria, as successive governments knocked down preceding efforts.

But Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Matthew Kukah, and former governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, differed slightly, saying democracy is work-in-progress.

Former Secretary-general of the Commonwealth of Nations, Chief Emeka Anyaoku, warned that democracy would be in danger in Africa in view of military putsch in some sub-Saharan African countries.

They all spoke at the 60th birthday colloquium for former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, in Abuja.

Obasanjo questioned whether Africa was truly practising democracy or merely adopting a flawed version of Western liberal democracy.

According to the former president, who was the chairman of the occasion, “If you are talking about democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed.

“And why has it failed? Because in context and in content, it is not African. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe,

“Are we talking of democracy or are we talking of Western liberal democracy? When we talk of democracy, we should remember that in Africa, before the colonial rule and the colonial power, we had a form of government, which attended to the needs of our people.

“And whatever you call it, to me, it is democracy. Because what is democracy about? The American President Abraham Lincoln defined it as government of the people, by the people, for the people.

“Democracy is meant to be a system of government that delivers and delivers to all the people, not just a section of the people, not just a few. But what do we have today?

“I believe since we’ve gone past the Greek democracy, which brought everybody to the square and everybody has a say in the decision making, which affected everybody, democracy has now become representative democracy and representative democracy has not taken care of everybody.”

Obasanjo argued that Africa had its own governance systems before colonial rule, which better served its people.

He criticised the current system, saying it enables leaders to “grab everything illegally and corruptly” while telling the people to “go to court,” even when justice is unattainable.

Obasanjo advocated an “Afro Democracy” for Africans, saying the Western style is not working.

He stated, “Today, we have democracy, which is government of small number of people, by small number of people over large number of people, who are deprived of what they need to have in life. That is not democracy that will endure.

“It is, I am because I can grab. What sort of democracy brings you and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly and you say, go to court? When you know that even in the court, you cannot get justice.

“It’s not that democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy, which will deliver, will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”

Advancing a similar position, but tailored to the Nigerian context, Obi concluded that democracy in Nigeria had begun to collapse because successive governments knocked down efforts of the previous administrations.

He stated, “Well, if you look at what Bishop Kukah said, he said it’s work-in-progress. Let me follow what my brother (Tambuwal) said about 1999.

“If you looked at where we are today, it’s like, they (the PDP) started in 1999, laid the foundation. Some people came and took it to decking, and some people were trying to take it to the first floor, when some people came and knocked everything down.

‘’That is the situation we are now. Everything has been knocked down and nothing works. I am somebody who can say this, exemplarily. I became a governor through the courts, when President Obasanjo and Atiku were in government.

“I did not pay the court one naira. I was sitting in my office and the court declared me winner, when a governor was not seeing them. This cannot happen in Nigeria, today.

“When I was being impeached, the president sent people to come and intervene on my behalf. Ken Nnamani came, begging the house people not to impeach me. Today, the president impeaches the person. So, that is the thing. It has collapsed. It has failed.

‘’They were begging my house not to impeach me. And they were in the PDP and I was in AGPA and they were begging. President Obasanjo was calling and said, Peter, are you okay? Are you safe?

‘’When I got back from the court, and the court eventually declared me, under Andy Ubah. President Yar’Adua called my phone in London and said congrats. I said I can’t come back, because you know if I come back, these people…

“He said, tell me the flight in which you’re coming and I told him. When I came, it was the first time the military people came to receive me at the airport. I couldn’t believe it, and took me straight to him.

‘’Now, the president will ask me not to come back here again! So, it has failed. Let’s talk about how we are going to rebuild it. It is collapsing!”

Meanwhile, the Obi, faulted the release of withheld federation allocations to Ibok-Ete Ibas, the sole administrator of Rivers.

In a post published via X yesterday, Obi said the move raised “serious moral questions”, adding that the decision to release the withheld funds to the sole administrator did not align with the judgment of the supreme court.

The ex-presidential candidate said the supreme court ruled that the withheld funds should be released to the state after a properly constituted house of assembly passed the appropriation bill.

“What we are witnessing in Rivers State is a brazen disobedience and disregard for the rule of law and our democratic principles.

“The decision to release statutory allocations to an appointed Sole Administrator, despite a standing order of the Supreme Court, is not just unlawful — it is a direct challenge to the authority of the highest court of our country.

“The Supreme Court had explicitly barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) from releasing these funds until a properly constituted House of Assembly passes a valid Appropriation Act.

“Yet, we see a situation where this order is being ignored. This raises serious moral intentions, and questions of what is happening in Rivers State. By disregarding the judgment of the Supreme Court, those involved are setting a dangerous precedent.

“The CBN and AGF, institutions meant to uphold the law, should not be complicit in this disregard for our judiciary. We cannot build a nation where those who swore oaths to uphold our constitution and obey the laws are doing the opposite.

“This is about more than just Rivers State; it is about protecting the very fabric of our democracy, and our existence as a nation.”

Taking a different position on the failure of democracy, however, Kukah said, “Democracy is work-in-progress. Democracy gives you the opportunity to try if you failed and gives you greater opportunity to correct the former mistakes.”

He explained that in Africa, the capacities and competencies of Africa leaders differed, but the good thing was that democracy gave one the ability to correct mistakes made.

He said the American constitution had several amendments because there was no perfection in life.

‘’The American constitution was first written in mind to protect the white property,’’ he said.

Kukah said that was why there were several amendments of the American constitution.

He maintained that democracy was quarrelsome in nature, but said how the quarrels were managed mattered, stressing, ‘’Democracy is for the good of the people, as it has helped to destroy feudal system of government all over the world.”

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto urged people to understand the background of writings of famous Englishman, John Locke, in his various thesis on democracy.

He said, ‘’John Locke wrote his thesis stemming from the background of fear as was in those days.”

Supporting him, Tambuwal stated that democracy was not failing in Africa, as it was an ongoing process

‘’When we play by the rules, democracy works. Democracy is work-in-progress,” he said.

Commenting on the senate resolution on the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State, he said due process was not followed because the required two-thirds majority of the senate was not achieved.

‘’Under President Olusegun Obasanjo, state of emergency was declared in some states and the National Assembly did the necessary affirmation of the processes with the required two-thirds majority, with members voting to affirm the process,” he said.

In his comments, Chairman of THISDAY Editorial Board, Mr. Segun Adeniyi, said democracy was a process meant to serve the people, but the problem was with the operators.

‘’The challenge is how do we ensure that the operators of democratic processes play by the rule?” he stated.

Warning that the recent military coups in some sub-Saharan Africa countries should be a source of worry to all democracy enthusiasts, Anyaoku said such military coups were bound to take Africa back to the days of the 1960s, where military rule were the other of the day.

He took time to explain how he used his office as Secretary-general of the Commonwealth to ensure the return of multi-party democracy in some African countries, like Kenya and South Africa.

Anyaoku called for the review of the 1999 Constitution to ensure proper management of diversity and true federalism in Nigeria.

‘’There is the need to amend the 1999 Constitution to guarantee the management of diversity in Nigeria,” he said.

But a former presidential spokesperson, Reno Omokri, declined submissions that democracy had collapsed or died in Nigeria. Rather, he said, it was Peter Obi’s presidential ambition that died.

He said, “Peter Obi should be careful making claims that democracy has collapsed in Nigeria. That is a most irresponsible statement. Peter Obi lost the #NigerianElections2023 fairly and squarely.

“He lost at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal and all the way to the Supreme Court. The state of emergency declared on Rivers and Governor Simi Fubara’s suspension is not anti-democratic.”

Reno, a big supporter of the President Bola Tinubu administration, added, “Peter Obi is from Anambra. We remember when the governor of Anambra was undemocratically removed even after swearing an oath to his godfather at the Okija shrine and locked up in a toilet. If democracy did not die then, why should it die now, Peter?

“Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa declared a State of Emergency in the Western Region on May 29, 1962, and suspended the Premier while appointing Dr. Moses Majekodunmi as the Administrator of the region.

“On May 18, 2004, President Olusegun Obasanjo declared a State of Emergency in Plateau State, suspended the Governor, his deputy, and the State House of Assembly, and appointed Major General (rtd) Chris Ali as the Administrator.

“On October 18, 2006, he did the same thing in Ekiti and appointed Brigadier General Tunde Olurin as the Administrator. Incidentally, Peter Obi was Governor of Anambra State at that time and did not raise any concerns or complaints.

“So, why has democracy suddenly died now that a State of Emergency has been declared in Rivers State and Governor Simi Fubara is suspended?

“The only difference is that now Peter Obi wants to be President. Since he can’t be President, seeing as he lost the 2023 elections and their so-called coalition is dead on arrival, that means that to him, democracy in Nigeria is dead.

“Interestingly, Peter Obi did not hold local government elections in Anambra for seven years, which was unconstitutional. He became Governor in 2006 and only held elections in 2014. Whereas LGA elections are to be held every four years.

“Yet, here he is today, saying democracy in Nigeria has died. This is about Peter Obi and his failed presidential ambition, which died the day his Yes Daddy audio threatening ‘Religious War’ on Muslims was leaked, not about Nigeria.”

Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and several others eulogised Ihedioha as a focused and determined politician.

The occasion was witnessed by former National Chairman of PDP, Chief Uche Secondus; former governors, like Chibuike Amaechi, Aminu Asari, Kayode Fayemi, and former Senate Presidents, like David Mark, Ken Nnamani, and Adolphus Wabara.

Former speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Dimeji Bankole and current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, among several other well-wishers, were also present.

[ThisDay]

Affirmative Action refers to proactive measures taken by organisations or governments to ensure equal opportunity for historically marginalised groups. It aims to address past and present discrimination by implementing policies that promote diversity and inclusion… - The Oxford Review

The saying: “What a man can do, a woman can do better,” may be considered a cliché. But Namibia is set to prove doubters wrong, at least as far as gender mainstreaming is concerned.

Namibia’s newly elected President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah was sworn in as the country’s first female president on Friday 22nd March 2025, with fellow women Lucia Witbooi as Vice President and Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila as Speaker of the National Assembly - to complete the female triumvirate that will pilot the affairs of state in a largely patriarchal African continent.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila is the first woman to hold the position of the third most powerful citizen in Namibia, next to President Nandi-Ndaitwah and her deputy, Witbooi, the second woman to serve as the country’s vice President.

As if this were not enough, Nandi-Ndaitwah’s 14-member cabinet has eight women.

The unprecedented gender shift followed the death of President Hage Geingob, whom Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeded on 24th February 2025.

A popular gender activist herself, Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, however, believes that ability is critical to effective performance in leadership positions.

“As women, we should not ask to be elected to positions of responsibility because we are women, but because we are capable members of our societies to hold those positions,” she affirmed.

Addressing parliament after her inauguration, she reminded the MPs that while they might have been “elected on the tickets of our respective political parties, we have assumed the responsibility to represent all Namibian people without any discrimination.”

“The task facing me as the fifth president of the Republic of Namibia is to preserve the gains of our independence on all fronts and to ensure that the unfinished agenda of economic and social advancement of our people is carried forward with vigour and determination to bring about shared, balanced prosperity for all,” the new president pledged.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah's major decisions since her inauguration include reducing the Cabinet size from 21 to 14 and restructuring government ministries and agencies.

Erica Shafudah is named Minister of Finance, Lucia Iipumbu, Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, and Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, International Relations. The three are women.

Elijah Ngurare is the new Prime Minister, while Natangwe Ithete, also a man, will serve as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Mines and Energy.

Under the new government structure, the oil and gas sectors are now under the Office of the President, and the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation will handle the trade portfolio, to strengthen economic diplomacy.

Describing poverty eradication as cross-cutting, President Nandi-Ndaitwah, daughter of a clergyman, directed all government ministries to implement programmes to support socio-economic development.

Responsibilities for disabled persons and marginalised groups now fall under the Office of the vice-President and Labour Relations are to be handled by the Justice Ministry and a yet-to-be-named public entity will manage government properties and assets.

Social Grants will move to the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, while the Fisheries and Marine Resources Ministry is to merge with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform.

The Education Ministry will also oversee Arts, Sport, and Culture, and the Ministry of Industrialisation is combined with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to boost industrial growth, especially in mining.

President Nandi-Ndaitwah, nicknamed “NNN,” an MP since Namibia’s independence in 1990, became politically active at age 14. She became the leader of the Youth Wing of the Southwest Africa People’s Organisation (SWAPO), which led the struggle for the country's liberation from apartheid South Africa.

Nandi-Ndaitwal was Namibia’s National Women's Organisation (NANAWO) president from 1991 to 1994 and became SWAPO President in 2024.

In 1973, she was forced into political exile in neighbouring Zambia and proceeded to then-Soviet Union and later the United Kingdom, to continue her education in public administration and management.

In 1988, Nandi-Ndaitwah obtained a post-graduate diploma in International Relations from Keele University, UK, and a master's degree in diplomatic studies from the same University.

She became Namibia’s third vice-President under President Nangolo Mbumba from 2024 to 2025 after serving as Deputy Prime Minister from 2015 to 2024 and Minister of Foreign Affairs, later renamed International Relations and Cooperation Ministry from 2012 to 2015, and Minister of Environment and Tourism from 2010 to 2012.

Nandi-Ndaitwah served as Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation from 1990 to 1996, later Director-General of Women's Affairs in the Office of the President, until 2000 when she was promoted to Minister of Women’s Affairs and Child Welfare.

She was SWAPO’s Deputy Representative in Zambia, from 1976 to 1978, Chief Representative in Zambia from 1978 to 1980, and from 1980 to 1986, the SWAPO Chief Representative in East Africa, based in the Zambian capital, Dar es Salaam.

In 2017, Nandi-Ndaitwah was elected SWAPO’s vice-president, the first woman in that capacity.

Under President Geingob, Nandi-Ndaitwah was Deputy Prime Minister from March 2015, and she combined that role with that of the International Relations and Cooperation portfolio and SWAPO’s Secretary for Information and Mobilisation, making her the party’s main spokesperson.

In March 2023, President Geingob named her, SWAPO's presidential candidate in the 2024 Namibian general elections.

On 3 December 2024, Nandi-Ndaitwah was officially declared the President-elect with 58.7% of the vote, defeating two political rivals Panduleni Itula and McHenry Venaani.

She is Africa’s fourth female President following in the footsteps of Liberia’s Nobel Laureate Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Joyce Banda of Malawi and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania.

Her victory extends SWAPO’s 35-year hold on power in Namibia, whose founding/liberation President Sam Nujoma died earlier this year at age 95.

Nandi-Ndaitwah succeeded Nangolo Mbumba, who stood in as president from February 2024 following the death of President Geingob, which led to her promotion to vice-President.

Married to Namibia’s former Chief of Defence Force, retired Lt.-Gen. Epaphras Denga Ndaitwah, the new president and her women-dominated administration face the challenge of proving that beyond their exemplary roles as home builders and resource managers, women can also out-perform their male counterparts in political governance.

Namibia's 1325 National Action Plans  (NAP), builds on the country’s National Gender Policy, developed as complementary to other mechanisms and frameworks to advance women’s rights. The overarching goal of the NAP is to create “a safe and peaceful Namibia where all women, men, girls and boys have equal rights and live without fear or want and in dignity”

Namibia is expected to address other aspects of inclusiveness in governance to involve Persons with Disability (PWDs) and other marginalised groups.

But from the composition of Nandi-Ndaitwah’s cabinet, the Southern African nation with a relatively small population estimated at three million is making a strong statement to bigger countries in the advanced and developing World about the values and merits of diversity and Affirmative action.

Equal treatment of, and opportunities to persons irrespective of gender, race, religion, tribe/ethnic considerations, appearance or social standing will not only engender peaceful co-existence but also promote human development and progress.

Paul Ejime is a Media and Communications Specialist and Global Affairs Analyst

Solid core earnings drive growth in profitability and returns.

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has released its audited financial results for the full year ended December 31, 2024, with all its major indicators witnessing significant improvement.

The 2024 financials, filed with the Nigerian Exchange Limited (NGx) on Monday, showed an impressive rise in the bank’s profit after tax which went up by 26.14 percent to close the year at N766.6 billion, up from N607.7 billion recorded at the end of the 2023 fiscal year.

The Bank’s gross earnings also grew significantly from N2.08tn recorded at the end of the 2023 financial year to N3.19tn in the period under consideration, representing a 53.6 percent growth.

Like in the previous years, the banks’ total assets also rose remarkably by 46.8 percent, from N20.65 trillion in 2023, to close at N30.4 trillion in December 2024; signifying a milestone leap for the bank with the largest spread across the continent.

Despite the highly challenging global economic and business environment, UBA recorded a profit before tax of N803.72 billion representing a 6.1 percent increase from N757.68 billion recorded at the end of the 2023 financial year.

Consequently, UBA Group Shareholders’ Funds rose from N2.030 trillion as at December 2023 to close the 2024 financial year at N3.419 trillion, achieving an impressive growth of 68.39 percent.

As a result of the impressive performance and in fulfilment of the promise made by the UBA Group Chairman, Tony Elumelu, to shareholders at the last Annual General Meeting, the Bank proposed a final dividend of N3.00 kobo for every ordinary share of 50 kobo, for the financial year ended December 31, 2024. This brings the total dividend in the year to N5.00. The final dividend is subject to the ratification of the shareholders during its upcoming Annual General Meeting (AGM).

UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, who expressed excitement at the results, stated that the 2024 financial performance demonstrates the bank’s continued focus on driving earnings growth, preserving asset quality, expanding business operations and deepening market share.

“Our continued investment in our highly diversified global network allows UBA to deliver high quality, consistent earnings. Our businesses have been able to grow product and service income and expand our deposit base, allowing the Group to increase earnings, while maintaining strong spreads and margins,” Alawuba highlighted.

According to him, “With total deposit increasing by 42.03 percent from N17.4 trillion in 2023 to N24.7 trillion and total assets hitting N30.4 trillion from N20.7 trillion, the just released results reflect broad-based growth across all core businesses and were achieved despite prevailing macroeconomic challenges, geopolitical uncertainties, and exchange rate volatilities.”

The GMD expressed excitement at the marked improvement recorded in the bank’s core earnings profile, as he explained that the profit is derived from high-quality income streams from funding intermediation, fees and commissions, thus reflecting strong long-term, sustainable revenues generation capacity.

“Our ex-Nigeria (Rest of Africa & International) operations have expanded significantly over the past five years, now contributing 51.7% of Group revenue, up from 31% in 2019, delivering diversification benefits and further boosting long-term shareholder value. This will continue to grow, as we further explore strategic markets that align with our overall vision. We are currently upgrading our business scope and authorization in France, and considering other viable markets in the short to medium term,” Alawuba noted.

He pointed out the bank’s resolve to invest continuously in technology, data analytics, product innovation, staff training and development, which, according to him, will collectively enhance our customers’ experience.

On his part, UBA’s Executive Director, Finance & Risk Management, Ugo Nwaghodoh, said the bank recorded triple digit growth in net interest income, resulting in remarkable improvement in net interest margin from 6.83 percent in 2023 to 9.02 percent, while also recording strong double-digit growth in fee and commission income lines of 91.66 percent.

“UBA Group continues to demonstrate strong capital levels, with shareholders' funds growth of 68.4% to N3.42 trillion and a solid capital adequacy ratio of 31.0%., and as we defensibly position the portfolio to navigate prevailing global and regional macroeconomic upheavals, asset quality improved, with NPL ratio moderating to 5.58%, with strong provision coverage at 81%”, Nwaghodoh noted.

He explained that as the bank navigates evolving risks, its management remains focused on responsible growth, delivering customer-focused value propositions, whilst ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements in all jurisdictions.

United Bank for Africa is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally. Operating in twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology.

Imagine a Rivers State where President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hesitated to declare a state of emergency. The political standoff between the State Assembly and Governor Siminalayi Fubara could have continued and degenerated into violence. Impeachment threats might have spurred attacks on lawmakers by the Governor’s supporters, while militants in the creeks—primed to sabotage critical oil infrastructure—could have plunged Nigeria’s oil production back to pre-2023 lows. Sensational reporting of the crisis by journalists and opportunistic litigation would have inflamed tensions further, paralysing governance and risking lives. Schools and hospitals would shutter; investors would flee. We can only imagine the human and economic toll.

Thanks to the President’s intervention, Rivers State can breathe again today. Political tensions have eased, banal headlines have quietened, and stakeholders—encouraged by the newly appointed administrator—are charting a path to lasting peace. Critics who argue the crisis “did not yet warrant” an emergency rule ignore a stark truth: waiting for the breakdown of law and order to escalate into anarchy before acting is like withholding firefighters until a house burns to ashes. 

A responsible leader like President Tinubu, who swore an oath to protect the constitution and corporate existence of the country, can not fail to act when a constituent part of the Federation is careering towards the precipice. The political crisis in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly who owe allegiance to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, that blew open barely six months into the administration of the Governor has degenerated by 18 March. A chain of events since the war of attrition started 14 months ago among the combatants had indeed paralysed the government of Rivers State to the point where Fubara, copying from the bad book of former Governor Obaseki in Edo, emasculated an arm of government entirely. This reality informed the Supreme Court’s damning verdict about the absence of government in the State as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of Nigeria, as amended. The court also excoriated Fubara for acting like a despot.

Rivers was in a grave situation, as the combatants refused to allow reason to prevail, even after the Supreme Court judgment,  before President Tinubu declared a state of emergency on 18 March. The President took action in the best interest of the people of the State, who had become victims of the warring politicians, the people they elected to serve them. President Tinubu needed to act. He chose prevention over cure.

Section 305 of Nigeria’s Constitution empowers the President to act when the nation faces a breakdown of law, order, and economic security —precisely the case in Rivers, a bastion of Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy. Intelligence confirmed militants, told by Fubara to await signals, were already targeting pipelines, risking a collapse in output and a Niger-Delta domino effect. Historical precedents, such as the past emergencies in Plateau and Borno and the doctrine of necessity, support the President’s proactive measures to avert disaster. The President’s oath demands he must not fail in his sacred duty to safeguard national stability, not watch idly as partisan strife strangles our democracy and the material well-being of Nigerians, whose prosperity depends on the social and economic interdependence of every part of the country. Rivers State is a significant hydrocarbon economic artery in Nigeria, and any dislocation and politically motivated disruption of the State’s oil industry have ripple effects on the national economy.

Answering the Critics: 

Critics claim the emergency rule in Rivers undermines democracy. Their position misrepresents reality. The intervention is temporary, surgical, and aimed at restoring—not replacing—democratic institutions. The suspension of political actors for six months is no power grab; it is not a permanent removal but a reset to disarm warring factions. Notably, the same critics who assailed the President’s action for suspending the political actors remain silent on Governor Fubara’s refusal to collaborate with the legislature, exposing their partisan bias. Democracy can not thrive amid lawlessness—anarchy is its antithesis.

The appointed administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok Ibas (Rtd.), has already convened a meeting with traditional leaders,  one of his first steps to forge lasting solutions. This intervention ensures Rivers’ people retain their democratic rights while shielding the Nigerian and Rivers State economies from collapse. It is worth repeating that President Tinubu acted within the law and his executive powers under the constitution until the  Supreme Court says otherwise. 

President Tinubu and the National Assembly remain committed to lifting the emergency once stability returns and ensuring elected officials resume their duties.

The 18th-century English philosopher Edmund Burke once warned, “The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.” President Tinubu chose courage over complacency. His action prioritised Nigeria’s interest over political expediency, averting a more profound crisis. To those who brand him a democrat turned “tyrant,” my response to them is simple:  Which democracy prospers in chaos? Rivers’ newfound calm vindicates President Tinubu’s resolve. He deserves commendation, not condemnation, not calumny for his statesmanship. Rivers and Nigeria are safer for it.

-Onanuga is the Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy